We were lucky to catch up with Natashia Taylor recently and have shared our conversation below.

Natashia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Transitioning into a full-time creative career while juggling motherhood, pursuing education, changing careers, and relocating was quite a challenging but rewarding experience.

From day one, it wasn’t a seamless transition into a full-time creative career. In fact, it took several years and significant milestones to get there. Here’s how it unfolded. I started by identifying my true passion, which was creative writing and content creation. This was a crucial first step as it helped me stay motivated throughout the journey. I recognized that to make a living from my creative work, I needed to hone my skills. So, I invested time in online courses and workshops to improve my communication skills and perfect my craft. Being a full-time mom and a student was demanding, but I managed my time efficiently. I dedicated specific hours each day to my creative pursuits while ensuring my children’s needs and education were not compromised. To attract clients and opportunities, I began building a portfolio of my work. This included creating a personal blog, recording content to online publications, and collaborating with small businesses and other non profit organizations. Networking was a game-changer. Initially, I took on freelance projects and part-time work related to my field to gain experience and build a financial cushion. The move to another state was a significant step. It forced me to reevaluate my goals and priorities, but I remained committed to my creative endeavors. One of the most important aspects of my journey was patience. Success didn’t happen overnight, and I’m still not completely where I want to be there are/were moments of doubt. However, I persisted and kept refining my skills. Looking back, I believe that the key to speeding up the process would have been better planning and goal setting. If I had set clearer goals and timelines, I might have reached full-time status more quickly. Additionally, seeking mentors and learning from experienced creatives earlier in my journey could have provided valuable insights and shortcuts. Its all a working process.

Natashia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have a deep passion for making a positive impact on the lives of young individuals and advocating for meaningful causes. My journey into this industry began 4 years ago when I volunteered for a local youth mentoring program and everyone was stuck inside. I was profoundly moved by the potential and resilience of the youth I worked with, which inspired me to pursue a career dedicated to their development. As a youth mentor and communication director for non-profit organizations, I wear multiple hats. I provide mentorship and guidance to young individuals, helping them navigate the challenges of adolescence and discover their strengths and passions. This includes academic support, career guidance, and personal development. In my role as a communication director, I work closely with non-profit organizations to strategize and execute effective communication campaigns. I specialize in crafting compelling narratives and utilizing various communication channels to raise awareness, engage stakeholders, and drive support for important causes. In my capacity as a Youth Mentor and Communication Director, I solve the problem of effectively conveying a non-profit’s mission and impact to the public. For my youth mentoring role, I help young people build confidence, resilience, and goal-setting skills. I assist them in making informed decisions about their future, whether it’s related to education, career choices, or personal development surrounding mental toughness. What sets me apart is my holistic approach to youth mentoring. I believe in understanding each young person as an individual with unique needs and aspirations. This personalized approach helps me tailor my guidance to their specific circumstances, leading to more meaningful and lasting outcomes. In the realm of non-profit communication, my ability to craft compelling stories and leverage various media channels effectively is a distinguishing factor. I am dedicated to ensuring that the voices of the organizations I work with are heard loud and clear, and their missions resonate with their target audiences. I’m most proud of the positive transformations I’ve witnessed in the lives of the youth I’ve mentored. Seeing them grow, succeed academically, and develop into confident individuals is incredibly rewarding. For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want them to know that I am deeply committed to making a difference. Whether it’s through mentoring or communication strategy, I am driven by a genuine passion for positive change. I value collaboration, innovation, and the power of storytelling to drive social impact. My work is not just a profession; it’s a calling. I believe in the potential of young people and the ability of non-profit organizations to bring about positive change in the world. I am excited to connect, collaborate, and continue this meaningful journey with others who share these values and aspirations.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I was raised with a strong emphasis on self-reliance and independence. While these qualities are undoubtedly valuable, they also led me to believe that seeking assistance or admitting I didn’t understand something was a sign of weakness. As a result, I would often struggle silently in my studies, refusing to ask for help from teachers or classmates.

This mindset persisted into my adult life, and it began to hinder my personal and professional growth. I found myself overwhelmed and stressed, trying to handle every challenge on my own. It wasn’t until a pivotal moment in my career when I faced a project that was beyond my expertise that I realized the importance of unlearning this lesson. In that moment of realization, I understood that seeking help and collaborating with others wasn’t a sign of weakness; it was a demonstration of humility and a recognition of my limitations. I reached out to colleagues who had the skills I lacked, and together we not only completed the project successfully but also forged stronger professional relationships. Unlearning this lesson was liberating. It allowed me to grow personally and professionally, fostered a sense of teamwork, and enabled me to achieve more collectively than I ever could have on my own. It’s a lesson I continue to apply daily, reminding myself that seeking assistance and collaborating with others is a strength, not a weakness, and it’s a path to growth and success.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to use creativity as a tool for positive change. I believe that art, whether it’s through writing, visual arts, or any other medium, has the power to inspire, educate, and evoke emotions. It can be a catalyst for social change, a means to amplify underrepresented voices, and a platform to address pressing issues. Through my creative work, I aim to shed light on important social, environmental, and humanitarian issues that deserve attention. To foster empathy. By sharing stories and experiences through my creative work, I hope to help people better understand the perspectives of others, promoting tolerance and compassion. I aspire to motivate individuals to take positive steps toward change, whether on a personal or societal level. I’m dedicated to providing a platform for voices that are often unheard or marginalized. My creative journey includes a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that a wide range of experiences and perspectives are represented. While my work often addresses serious issues, I also aim to bring beauty and joy into the world.my creative journey is guided by the mission of harnessing the power of creativity to make the world a better place. It’s about using my skills and talents to contribute to positive change, whether it’s through shedding light on important issues, inspiring empathy and action, or celebrating the beauty of life. This mission gives purpose and meaning to my creative endeavors, and it’s a driving force that keeps me passionate and dedicated to my craft.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wintheballstops.com
• Instagram: Talks_with_Tashia & The_sister_project
• Facebook: Talkswithtashia
• Linkedin: Natashia Taylor
• Twitter: Talkswithtashia